Streszczenie
The paper draws attention to an attempt to clarify a long-lasting tradition of mining and metallurgy
in the Spis region. Taking into account the arrival of German miners and metallurgists and
the background of a historical development, the names of water streams in the Smolnik and Hnilec
valley are being described. The professional terminology related to their activities which left its
impact on hydronyms have become the subject of our analysis.